Multiresidual method for the gas chromatographic analysis of pesticides inhoneybees cleaned by gel permeation chromatography

The analysis of several organophosphorus and carbamate pesticide residues i n the bodies of honeybees using gas chromatography (GC) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) clean-up is described. Freeze-dried or lyophilized ins ect samples were blended with diatomaceous earth (Extrelut) then underwent elution with methylene chloride. This extraction method has shown good reco very on various spike standard levels. Samples are cleaned up by GPC with a Bio Beads SX 3 column and a cyclohexane-ethylacetate (1:1) eluant. Organop hosphorus and carbamate compounds are quantified using capillary gas chroma tography. Good linearity ranges were observed for all compounds. The extrac tion process was rapid and results were good, despite the complexity of the matrix on which it was applied. It allowed a reduction both in cost and th e consumption of solvents, thereby safeguarding the health of the analyst a nd the environment. Environmental monitoring using bees was confirmed to be a valid procedure. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.